College Planning Night for Juniors

Transcription

1 College Planning Night for Juniors For Students & Parents! December 2, 2015 Las Lomas High School Presented by Counseling Department and College/Career Center

2 Welcome Students & Parents! Presentation Overview Student Responsibility/Parent Responsibility Finding the Right Fit Understanding Post-High School Options Resources

3 ??????? What do you want to know?

4 Where to Start?

5 The Formula For Success YOU, the student

6 What s the magic recipe to get into a good college? Prepare Yourself Challenge Yourself Search Yourself Be Yourself Show Resilience Applying to college is an act of personal integrity

7 Student s Responsibility Think about classes you like Maintain a healthy BALANCE (there are 24 hours in a day) Work toward your post high school goals: work, community college, university, interested major, career field Ask yourself what you want in a college Continue to appropriately challenge your educational interests and be successful in them

8 Parent s Responsibility Mentor your child to look for the best fit option Help your student with a sense of confidence and excitement about the journey Discuss your financial options regarding paying for college Remember college is a means to an end, and not an end itself Listen Provide support

9 Post High School Options Specialty School (career focused) Community College 4-year College/University Work force Military Gap year

10 Specialty Schools Schools in dedicated fields Health Care Culinary Arts Automotive Technology Arts Admission policies vary Apply spring of senior year Be sure accredited in field

11 Community College 113 campuses to choose from Associate Degree & Certificate Programs are offered Career oriented programs Transfer programs to 4-year colleges Transfer Agreements (TAG) available for many UC s and CSU s Math and English assessment test required No SAT or ACT required for admission or transfer Apply in the spring of senior year

12 4-Year College Admissions LLHS graduation requirements are different from 4-year college admission requirements!! Possible criteria for admission: Grade of a C or higher in required courses Rigorous Coursework Standardized Tests (SAT/ACT) Extracurricular activities and awards/honors Essays/Personal Statements Letters of Recommendation

13 College Entrance Exams SAT and Subject Tests -- ACT -- Recommended to take SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year Practice SAT or ACT offered at LL Feb. 20, 2016 See Ellen Smith after Jan 5 to sign up.

14 What is Naviance? A web-based program offering a database of post-high school programs A communication tool Research college options Self assessments Order transcripts Request letters of recommendation Alerts for up-and-coming workshops, presentations, and important information Lists of college representative visits and sign-ups Up-to-date scholarship lists

15 Financial Aid / Scholarships FAFSA and CalGrant Application Free to apply! Apply after October 1 of senior year Based upon parents income for 2015 for current juniors FAFSA Financial Aid Estimator Fee waivers for application fees and testing Scholarships: Naviance & Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

16 College/Career Center Resources College Representative Visits Check out College Fairs May 7, 2016, 12:30 4:30 pm at St. Mary s College October in the San Ramon Valley District Christian College Fair in September at Berean Christian Visual and Performing Arts College Fair Gap Year Fair Evening workshops at LLHS Lending library available to students and parents

17 College/Career Center Follow-up study of LLHS graduates It s All On The Web handout Additional resources in College/Career Center CSF (California Scholarship Federation) Graduating with honors _in_csf.htm Student Athletes contact NCAA Eligibility Center

18 Stay Informed Read the PTSA eboletin Subscribe to the Daily Bulletin Naviance School Loop

19 Timeline Feb Pick classes for senior year Feb. 20, 2016 Practice SAT/ACT Feb. 23, 2016 Resume writing, interviewing program Spring 2016 Junior appointment with counselor; colleges recommended Complete self assessments on Naviance Standardized tests: SAT and/or ACT Case Studies Night March 15 Spring/Summer College visits

20 Timeline continued Summer 2016 Narrow down college list Naviance Fill out student statement Parents complete parent statement Add to colleges I m thinking about Start on college essay Intern/shadow/explore

21 Timeline continued Sept College Night for Seniors Sept on Naviance add to Colleges I m applying to Fall 2016 Take tests again (if desired) Fall 2016 Apply to 4-year colleges LL Counseling Department provides essay writing workshops, regular college application workshops, other help LL counselors/teachers write letters of recommendation (not UC or CSU) LL counselors complete secondary school report for private colleges

22 Timeline continued November 2016 FAFSA workshop Winter 2017 Complete FAFSA/Cal Grant/Profile Apply for scholarships College financial aid deadlines vary Spring 2017 Apply to community college Spring 2017 Colleges notify acceptance May 1, 2017 Deadline to accept college offer

23 LIFE AFTER LAS LOMAS Where do Las Lomas students go after graduation?

24 Admission Options Early Decision/Early Action For the student who is sure of his/her interest in attending a specific college Apply early, hear back early Early Decision is binding, Early Action is not Early Decision not recommended if applying for financial aid NOT easier to get in

25 More Admission Options Regular Decision Apply by established deadline, receive response after several months Rolling Admissions Application reviewed after receipt, and student notified within weeks Acceptances sent on ongoing basis

26 UC/CSU Required A-G Courses a) History/Social Science 2 years required b) English 4 years required c) Mathematics 3 years required, 4 years recommended d) Laboratory Science 2 years required, 3 years recommended e) Language Other Than English 2 years required, 3 years recommended f) Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) 1 year required g) College Preparatory Electives 1 year required *View LLHS A-G approved course list:

27 California State University (CSU) Admission based on: A-G courses GPA (minimum 2.0 required--see Eligibility Index) SAT Reasoning or ACT test score (writing portion not required) No essay or recommendations required or accepted Application period Oct. 1- Nov. 30

28 California State University Impacted means more applications are received than freshman spots available at that campus resulting in increased competitiveness. Local area CSU s: East Bay and SFSU Non impacted campuses may have impacted programs Visit to determine impacted majors/campuses

29 California State University Check out the Matching Assistant & Planning for College tool! CSU Eligibility Index Helpful college comparison site with majors and career info

30 University of California (UC) Admission based on a comprehensive review of: A-G courses GPA (minimum 3.0 GPA) SAT or ACT score Extracurricular activities and honors/awards Personal Statement No letters of recommendation required SAT subject tests recommended (not required) for some majors ation-requirement/sat-subject-tests/index.html

31 University of California Application opens August 1 Submission period Nov. 1 - Nov. 30 Holistic Review A holistic review consists of a comprehensive assessment of all information provided on the application Eligibility Calculator:

32 Private Universities Campuses vary in admission policies & deadlines Admissions criteria: Check with individual campus! Most require SAT or ACT Most require essays, letters of recommendation & official transcript School report required written by LLHS counselor Subject Tests may be required Extracurricular activities and honors/awards

33 Private Universities Common application Application available August of senior year Helpful websites:

34 Out of State Public Schools Check individual admission policies and deadlines! SAT or ACT usually required Extracurricular activities and awards/honors may be considered May require essays and letters of recommendation

35 Things to keep in mind. VISIT, VISIT, VISIT! Take a tour of various campuses and request information Narrow down your choices Competitive colleges want to know how you spend your time. What are you passionate about? What activities are you involved in? Do you work, intern or volunteer? Leadership positions? (clubs, sports, performing arts, religious groups, etc.) What is it you want out of college?

36 More to keep in mind Keep your name consistent Be aware of what you post on social networking sites such as Facebook Use a professional address

37 And more Visual & Performing Arts majors often require a portfolio or audition As juniors, it is not too early to apply for ROTC If you wish to play sports in college, note the NCAA eligibility requirements, including the core courses required Register with the NCAA in spring of junior year

38 Counseling Department Counselors and Staff Las Lomas High School (925) Beth Chastain (Registrar) Ext Ellen Smith (College/Career Advisor) Ext Allison Ridenhour (Testing Coordinator) Ext Counselors: Amelia Whalen (A-El) Ext Hanalee Washburn (En-K) Ext Kara Bloodgood (L-Pi) Ext Marilyn Lewis-Hampton (Pl-U) Ext Valerie Wright-Smith (V-Z + ELL students) Ext. 2125